Palworld bActiveUNKO and DropItemMaxNum_UNKO Explained
If you have scrolled through PalWorldSettings.ini you may have noticed two odd-looking options: bActiveUNKO and DropItemMaxNum_UNKO. "UNKO" (うんこ) is the Japanese word for excrement, and it is the internal name Pocketpair used for the in-game item called Dung. This page explains exactly what these two settings do, what Dung actually is, and why you do not need to touch either option on a normal server.
The short answer
Dung is unused content in Palworld. The item exists in the game files (internal code name Unko_S), but it is not obtainable through normal gameplay, no Pal produces it, and it is not an ingredient in any crafting or farming recipe. The two UNKO server settings are leftover toggles for this dormant item, so on a standard server they have no visible effect.
What Dung (UNKO) is
- Item name: Dung (internal code
Unko_S) - In-game description: "Animal dung. An essential part of any ecosystem, and can even be used as fertilizer."
- Type: Material, Rank 1, Common rarity
- Sell value: 1 Gold Coin
- Status: Unused / cut content. It cannot be obtained in a normal playthrough and has no recipe use.
The item description hints that Dung "can even be used as fertilizer," but that mechanic was never implemented. There is no High Quality Plantation, no Dung-based fertilizer recipe, and no Pal that drops Dung at a Ranch. Any guide claiming otherwise is describing a feature that does not exist in the released game.
The two server settings
Both options live in the OptionSettings=(...) block of PalWorldSettings.ini, on the same line as every other server option.
bActiveUNKO
- Type: Boolean (True / False)
- Default:
False - What it controls: The master toggle for the dormant UNKO (Dung) drop system.
- Practical effect: Because Dung is unused content, flipping this to
Trueproduces no meaningful gameplay change on a normal server. It is a developer leftover, not a farming feature.
DropItemMaxNum_UNKO
- Type: Integer
- Default:
100 - What it controls: The maximum number of UNKO (Dung) items the system would allow to exist in the world before older ones despawn.
- Practical effect: Tied to the same dormant system, so it has no observable impact during normal play.
Note the exact spelling. The real variable is DropItemMaxNum_UNKO. There is no setting called "ItemDropMaxNum_UNKO"; typing that name does nothing.
Related drop-count settings that do matter
If your goal was actually to manage loose items on the ground for server performance, these are the real, active settings to look at instead of the UNKO toggles.
DropItemMaxNum
- Type: Integer
- Default:
3000 - What it controls: The maximum number of dropped items of all types allowed in the world at once. When the cap is reached, the oldest dropped items despawn. Lowering it can reduce clutter and item-sync overhead on busy servers.
CollectionDropRate
- Type: Numeric multiplier
- Default:
1.0 - What it controls: The amount of resources gathered from collectible nodes (mining, logging, gathering). Higher values yield more per gather.
EnemyDropItemRate
- Type: Numeric multiplier
- Default:
1.0 - What it controls: The quantity of items dropped by defeated Pals and humans. Higher values increase loot drops.
Should you change bActiveUNKO?
For a normal server, no. There is no farming benefit to enabling it, because the item it governs is not part of the live game. Leave both UNKO options at their defaults and spend your tuning effort on settings that change gameplay, such as CollectionDropRate, EnemyDropItemRate, capture rates, and EXP multipliers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does UNKO mean in Palworld?
UNKO (うんこ) is the Japanese word for excrement. It is the internal code name Pocketpair used for the in-game item called Dung, and it shows up unlocalized in a couple of server settings.
What is the default value of bActiveUNKO?
False. By default the UNKO (Dung) system is disabled.
Can I get Dung in Palworld?
No. Dung is unused content. It exists in the game files but is not obtainable through normal gameplay, and no Pal produces it at a Ranch.
Does Dung work as fertilizer?
No. The item description mentions fertilizer, but that use was never implemented. There is no Dung-based recipe and no "High Quality Plantation" in the game.
Is the setting called ItemDropMaxNum_UNKO or DropItemMaxNum_UNKO?
The correct variable name is DropItemMaxNum_UNKO, with a default of 100. "ItemDropMaxNum_UNKO" is not a real setting.
Should I enable bActiveUNKO on my server?
There is no practical reason to. Because the underlying item is dormant, enabling it produces no meaningful gameplay change. Leave it at the default.
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